Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-03
CITY AND DISTRICT.

CITY AND DISTRICT.
BEFRIENDED BY JEFF DAVIS.
A MAN who Holds the ex-Pressdens o,
the Confederacy In Grateful Memory.
HOW Hz CAME 10 m APPOINTED wArcHNAN At TIL
CAPITOL THROUGH NJ. DAVE nFLuENCE-rHl
STORY OF A LACE HANpxIRcuIIH-THR soUrHKR,
LsADss ~ SEEM sY ONE WHOM HE AIDED.
MI. John W. Smith. An old resident OF Washing
ton, chatting with q STAR reporter the other day
remarked: 81 was the first Waterman appointed OF
the extension Of the Capitol, and it was through
the instrumentahty Of Jen Davis" The reporter
expressed some interest as TO how he came II
know Je0 Davis, and Mr.. smith said: 1.-THE way
that came TO secure the position is somewhat
curious. It was upon . winter night, and the last
cent In my possession had been expended In OBJ
tanning some medicine for my child, who was Ill
with Group. As was walking along my foot
struck something son, and. picking it up discOv
cred Ii to be ladys handkerchief Stundng II
In my pocket walked on until came to SHOP
q Sd Of anS
and Workmanship. Not yet fully approaching its
value. and hating to 60 home pennlless, offered
SMITH S yoa i saa S Sas1' take home
but did not want II. was very thankful after
ward, however, that did not sell II, as 1t was
inspected It, and found In the corner the words
sAr4 Jefferson Davis 1t appeared that Ms
Davis and her husband resided In the house ad-
joining the place where was doing business.
One OF my daughters, being sent In with the hand
kerchief the following morning, was met at the
turned with the child to our house and remained
there two hours Upon leaving she said TO me:
d %a y9a get place 10 sse
children I told her that had tried, and that
one had to get man showed out to get one In, and
for this reason would not accept position. Said
she: sWhat kind OF a place do you want, Mr..
smith, and told her that II could get position
In the Treasury could have every other day on,
and could work at my trade. Before going She
gave the child who brought the handkerchief
three silver dollars. and q few hours Later
BROUGHT NE AN APPOINTMENT
a. Waterman in the Treasury Department. de-
sire to say right here that Jen Davis was the best
friend ever had, and in the darkest hour that
ment personally, and Smilingly told me so come
and see Jen.' A short time previous 10 the cleo
DAVIS. In his ROOM when he said, smith, what Is
the feeling about General TaylorS getting the
nomination. and told him that from the drift OF
the talk In the ethyl thought Taylor would get the
nomination. .And II he gets the nomination. he
reJOined, 'hs will be elected. Make yourself per-
feotly easy, and II you are turned out come 10 me
and Will make a place for you.' And II was not
q month before was turned ont, and went TO
him and told him that WIS out. Thereupon he
and asked him II he wanted any more help.
The Commissioner, who was a whig, replied that he
did, and that he had to have two additional men on
the extension But says he, colonel, II you
want man put on win put one on :or you now
Davis replied that he did not want TO have any
turned OUT, and forthwith went To the senate and
drew up q resolution to appoint TWO additional
vatchrnen on the extension OF the Capitol.
Through the sole Efforts OF Davis that resolution
was passed oy the Senate and House Immediately
He then addressed me a letter TO carry 10 Mr.
Mudd, Commissioner OF Public Buildings (whOm
knew. AS soon as reached the commissioners
ONCE Mudd put the question, How did you get
men ON Gods earth And then recited the
affair Of the handkerchief. I was under Mr..
Davis care as long as he stayed In the Sc nate and
when he went South lost my best friend.
A CIvu~SERyIcE IDEA.
"At one time two Of the big guns OF the demo-
cratic party at that time went to see Col Davis
to have me turned out. Well, the messenger that
waited on Davis was particular friend Of mine,
and accidentally overheard the conversation that
passed that morning. As the visitors eutered, Da-
Wis was seated at his desk doing some writing
After the usual greetings one OF the visitors stated
that bis business was regarding Inan naaed
Smith, who was employed as watchIaan at the
Capitol. Davis threw his pen on the table aud said:
Yes major, i know Mr.. Smith; put him ere
The other then stated that Smith was black re-
publican, and urged Davis to withdraw from his
support. Said Mr.. Davis, Major, am aStcunied
al you put him there. and he has as much right
TO his political opinions as You have il there is
any charge brought against him Will nave IT IN
veStigated, and viii have him turned out it found
guilty. The visitors withdrew immediately.
was arra1gned before Mr.. Metgs upon six different
occasions, and acquitted each time. shortly AFTER
the above episode Mr.. Meigs spoke to me regarding
another charge. But Says he, Smith have
II had any friend who could aid me In such a
matter, and replied that had. The result was
that was also acquitted OF tnis charge. con-
unued 10 hold the position OF Waterman about
fifteen years, or until Davis went South, when
was dismissed"